Recombinant human (rHu) G-CSF has been widely used to treat neutropenia and mobilize PBPCs for their autologous and allogeneic transplantation. It shortens neutropenia and thus reduces the frequency of neutropenic fever. We compared the efficiency of glycosylated rHu and non-glycosylated Hu G-CSF in mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). In total, 86 patients were consecutively enrolled for mobilization with CY plus either glycosylated or non-glycosylated G-CSF, and underwent leukapheresis. The HPC content of each collection, toxicity, days of leukapheresis needed to reach the minimum HPC target and days to recover WBC (> or =500 and >1000/mm(3)) and plts (>50 000/mm(3)) were evaluated. Glycosylated G-CSF mobilized more CD34+ cells than did the non-glycosylated form. The ability to reach a collection target of >3 x 10(6) CD34+/kg body weight in two leukaphereses was higher for glycosylated G-CSF. No significant differences between the two regimens were observed with regard to toxicity and days to WBC and plt recovery. High-dose CY plus glycosylated G-CSF achieved adequate mobilization and the collection target more quickly and with fewer leukaphereses.